Hawaii is an archipelago of eight major islands, atolls and smaller islets. Here are the eight major island names and nicknames, along with some quick facts about each. Also known as “The Big Island,” Hawaii Island is over 4,000 square miles and encompasses 63 percent of the Hawaiian archipelago’s combined landmass and is the largest island in the United States. The island has five volcanoes, including sacred dormant volcano Mauna Kea. The smallest island, Kahoolawe was used by the United States military during World War II. Today, the island is still prohibited to the public. The third largest island of Kauai, known as “The Garden Isle,” earns its name for its lush foliage, valleys and jungles. With lots of precipitation and undeveloped land, nature flourishes, making it home to several botanical gardens. Lanai once produced 75 percent of the world’s exported pineapples. The second largest island, Maui is divided by two mountain ranges—the Haleakala and West Maui Mountains. Maui is well known for its tourist attractions, such as Haleakala National Park and the Road to Hana. Oahu has the highest population count in the state and is home to the majority of Hawaiian residents. The island is home to the city of Honolulu, Hawaii’s state capital. American Masters is an award-winning signature PBS series created by The WNET Group and is made possible by all of you.Major Support for American Masters provided by© 2024 WNET. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.